Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1887-12-25
POINTERS ON POKER.
Mr. hummer Learns Some OF the Nlceties
oithe Game, and A. Hollywood Learns
Life.

with his daughters young man, 81 cam
say as I'm much of a card player now-a
days, but when l was ayoung man l wa.
looked upon as about as good at all times
indoor and out, as any one that used t.
train in u crowd; though l don't say il
to boast.
"Of course I've forgotten most all of il
now, and don't suppose l can tell one
card from another, but there was a time
could play almost any game with card:
you could name, casino, forty-eights, low,
high, jack, euchre. Why, when | was
out in company at a party where they had
card playin' they all used to come to me
to decide any close questions, Just as quick
as they'd 90 to q book, and when | give
EN- a decision twas Just about allus right,
now, l tell you.
"Oh, yes; but that was q cool many
years ago, as say, and | expect I'll dis
play my Ignorance tryin' to play with you
hut while mother and Liz is entertaining
the company in the parlor | guess
NAAA pay NAONku w Illkt
it entertainin' till your girl gets
hack. You needn't blush my boy; young
fellows have been cOurtin' ever since the
days of our first forefathers, and when an
honorable young man comes right up to
the house in a manly sort of O way, and
boldly asks the privilege of showin' him.
self of before my daughter, / Just say
Amen, so let it be, and there amt much |
won't do to make it pleasant for him; no,
sir"
But about these cards. What game d
we better plsy?"
Wei, poker is the popular thing Just
now said the young man hesitatingly.
Poker, poker, y said the old man, why
[ don't just remember that name, but ii
you'll sort Of post me up a little on it |
guess l can catch on to it in a few games s"
The young man explained the leading
features in a few hands, and then the old
gentleman announced himself as ready TO
commence.
1t is usual TO use a little money in the
play TO make it interesting" ventured the
young man, but perhaps We can get along
without it."
"NOt a bit OF it, sir; not y bit of it, "
answered Mr.. Hummer, when I'm dOin'
the entertainiu' l want to do it up right
every time, it il does take a little money.
No, sir, we'll play the game Just as it's
written" and Mr.. Hummer Strengthened
out n leg so he could get into his trous.
ers pocket conveniently, and produced a
handful of silver.
"All right" laughed the young man,
ha,r.F11 srN - .l..1 An la,1g I ,,aN -
Now you put in % cents for what is
called the ante, and % morei if yOn want to
draw cards, and | do the same. Now we
bet. ~
Mr.. Hummer lost 81 on the first hand,
Won the young mans ante on the next,
lost - on the next, won another ante,
then lost 81, with 3 scared expression
when the young man suddenly raised him
from 81 to so; aud her it was the old
mans turn to deal.
The yoyng man took two cards, and
Mr. Hummer needed three. The young
man ret 81. Mr. Hummer hesitated, but
SAW him half dollar better.
The youug man calmly made it fine.
Nr. Hummer glanced at him i~nquiringly,
AMI seemed somewhat bewildered, but
reached iato his breast pocket tor his flat
wallet, and went five better.
The young maa laughed in IN Off.haud
aud pityiug sort or way, and producing q
lutte bank. he laid down s., so, $50,
$50, Sl0. $50, 500. He was about to put
on the last flyer in the book when he sud
denly happened 10 think vt his laundry
aui RETAINED.
Mr. Hummer looked on Bghast, aud the
young man with a smile put forth his hard
to draw 10 the money, when the old
gentlemen calmly laid down two $50 bills,
and a s. gold piece, and remarked quietly
as he displayed three aces ami a brace OF
kings: Il guess | have to issue a call
Erastus turned pale and quiyered per
ceptibly as he exhibited his hand, for ali
that that young nan possessed was a hec'
tic flush.
Just then the ladies came back, and Mr..
Hummer excused himself, as was his
wont, and slipped quietly out into the hal
and up TO bed.
Mr.. Artemas Hollywood did not remain
40 long ~ usual that night, his heart was
too full, and he kept dividing ~sixty-tive
dollars, by at seven dollars and a
/ half. and getting q quOtient in weeks, and
il was & very seemly hour when he bade
Miss Hummer good evening, picked up his
hat and gloves and hurried out into tbs
night.
something prevented one of his fingers
from finding It's usual resting place in his
glove, and when he had climbed up to his
ROOM, he investigated.
Rumpled mp into a little wad were three
500 bills and a i've, wrapped in the hack
of an old envelope, OF which was written
in an unmistable hand:
DEAR BOY don't play for keeps
nowadays; but when | was yOnng man,
old Pete Sharply taught me q little abou'
the game.
IT'S Just about the same old game.
Pete had that same habit OF bluthng.
"He worked it on me once.
Come up any time. I'm mum. Il
leave a little margin for you to write your
own moral
Yrs, IL. HUMMER.